UPS Awards Two Grants to Wesley Manor

December 26, 2007

In October 2007, Wesley Manor (Louisville, KY) received two very significant grants from the UPS Foundation: A Community Investment Grant in the amount of $9,139.00 and a Charitable Giving Grant in the amount of $2,007.98.

The larger Community Investment Grant will be used to create and furnish a “Quiet Room” in Wesley Manor’s Health Care Center. Studies reveal the importance of a designated quiet space for persons living with dementia. For them, simple everyday noises can be over-stimulating, sometimes causing agitation and aggression. By creating a “Quiet Room,” we will be able to offer a comforting and calming area for later Alzheimer’s residents and decrease disruption to others. Wesley Manor will be the only local community offering this amenity to its Alzheimer’s residents and families.

The Charitable Giving Grant will be used to purchase a laptop, projector, and screen to be used by our Public Relations Department to provide a variety of presentations to churches and small groups about the wide range of services that Wesley Manor provides, or any one of a broad spectrum of aging issues, and the benefits of our Charitable Care Program

President Janet Shoaf said, “This partnership with UPS has been wonderful in many ways! It has allowed us to be the beneficiary of two important grants - one of which puts Wesley Manor on the cutting edge of enhanced Alzheimer’s care, and the other which enables us to go out into the community and state to tell our story. In addition, UPS volunteer work hours have greatly enhanced the overall appearance of Wesley Manor… In fact, our partnership with UPS is the best thing that has happened to us in a very long time!”

Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, GA, The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In 2006, The UPS Foundation distributed over $45 million worldwide through grants that benefit organizations or programs such as Wesley Manor’s “Quiet Room” project and its educational programs.

“Giving back to the communities is an important part of UPS’s 100-year-old culture that’s embraced by our employees through volunteerism, making donations and sharing their unique skill sets,” said Lisa Hamilton, President of the UPS Foundation. “Together with non-profits such as Wesley Manor Retirement Community, we work to make a positive impact on the lives of people in need.”

In the last two years alone, UPS Airlines’ Ground Support Team lead by Bill Jacobs and Luis Martinez has also provided 300 hours of volunteer work hours here at Wesley Manor! Thank you UPS – our friends and partners in senior care!